John Graham: Celebrating 25 Years of Leadership in Pest Management

Table of Contents

• From unexpected beginnings to industry leadership
• Contributions that have shaped the industry
• Recognition through AEPMA and awards
• Life membership with AEPMA
• Embracing change while staying grounded
• Advice for pest management’s next generation
• Looking to the future

This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone for one of the early members of our team—John Graham, who marks 25 years of service with Termi Home & Commercial Brisbane.

With a career spanning more than four decades in the Queensland pest control industry, John has helped shape not only our Brisbane pest control operation but also national industry standards through his work with the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA) and other professional bodies.

John (top: second from left. bottom: fifth from left) at the 2023 Termimesh International Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand

From unexpected beginnings to industry leadership

John’s journey into pest management began by chance. After working in weed control, he was introduced to the world of commercial pest control through a connection at a prominent pest control company. That encounter set the course for John’s career. One defined by deep industry knowledge, advocacy and professional development.

In 2000, John joined Termitrust Brisbane and found more than just a job. He found an environment that allowed him to grow, innovate and influence.

“It’s a good company to work with,” he reflects. “I’ve always had the freedom to explore opportunities without obstacles and that’s kept me motivated.”

Contributions that have shaped the industry

John’s impact goes well beyond the day-to-day activities of Operations Manager for Termitrust Brisbane and contributing to the success of the Termi Home & Commercial network. His involvement in developing Australian Standards, advising on industry technical groups and being part of AEPMA has earned him widespread respect in the pest management industry.

A standout achievement has been his work on the Pre-Construction Code of Practice (COP), which underpins our approach to pre-construction termite protection in Queensland. As John explains, “The COP was about setting minimum standards, which recognised whole of building protection, with the COP achieving higher or more aligned outcomes for all parties involved compared to Australian Standards”.

John has also contributed to Queensland’s ongoing battle against Red Imported Fire Ants, a biosecurity threat that continues to challenge the state. Controlling this pest has become even more challenging in recent times following the heavy rainfall and flooding caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025, enabling the ants to spread to new locations.

John’s involvement in practical, outcome-focused control measures has supported broader industry and government efforts to contain the spread of this invasive species.

John Graham receiving the 2018 Pest Manager of the Year award along with team members from Termitrust Brisbane

Recognition through AEPMA and awards

Although John spent several years serving on the national and state boards of AEPMA, which made Termitrust Brisbane ineligible to enter the Pest Manager of the Year awards, the moment he stepped down, the company submitted an application and won on the first attempt in 2018.

He credits the success not just to technical excellence, but to culture and recruitment.

“It’s all about having good people,” John says. “Hiring the right team and investing in them is what sets a company apart.”

Life membership with AEPMA

John’s long-standing commitment and contributions to AEPMA have led him to be awarded life membership with the association. 

The honour was presented by AEPMA Acting President, John Murray, during the Pesticon 2025 conference in Adelaide. You can hear from both John Murray and John Graham in this video from the conference dinner.

John also reflected on his time with the association and expressed his appreciation for receiving Life Membership in the September 2025 issue of the AEPMA eMagazine, stating:

“When I was told I’d been awarded Life Membership of the AEPMA, my first reaction was simple — I was humbled. To be recognised by my peers and the wider industry after more than nearly 30 years of involvement with AEPMA is something I never expected. but greatly appreciated.

My journey with AEPMA started in a small meeting room nearly 30 years ago. I’d gone along to a branch meeting out of curiosity, not quite knowing what to expect. What I found was a group of people who cared deeply about our industry and were willing to roll up their sleeves to make it better.

That first meeting left a mark on me — it showed me that when like-minded professionals work together, we can actually make change happen. And that’s what’s kept me involved ever since. Over the years, I’ve worn a few different hats: State Chairman, State Deputy Chair, State Committee Member, National Board Delegate for Queensland, Vice President, and Australian Standards representative. Each role came with its challenges, but also with the reward of knowing that we were shaping the direction of the pest management profession in Australia.

Looking back, the industry I joined in the early 1990s was a different world. Back then, treatments were often heavy on chemicals, licensing requirements varied from place to place, and there wasn’t much in the way of regarding Australian Standards. Reporting was paper-based, and technology played only a small role. But the people — the commitment, the problem-solving, the pride in doing the job right — that was always there.

Fast-forward to today, and thanks to the work of AEPMA and its members, we’ve got nationally recognised Training, more consistent licensing, strong Australian Standards, and world-leading Codes of Practice. We’ve embraced integrated pest management, invested in safer and more targeted products, and adopted technology that makes our work more effective — from thermal imaging and moisture meters to remote monitoring systems and digital reporting. Our industry is now a recognised leader globally in treatment methodology and professional standards.

From the outside, AEPMA might look like just another industry association — a “club” of sorts. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Without AEPMA’s work over the years, licensing could have been a patchwork mess, standards inconsistent, and the professionalism we enjoy today simply wouldn’t exist.

Getting involved doesn’t take much. On average, it’s a few hours a month — a small investment of time that pays back many times over in knowledge, networking, and the satisfaction of helping shape the future of our industry. The membership fee is a fraction of the value you get back, especially when it comes to staying at the forefront of technology, legislation, and professional development.

To everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside over the years — thank you. It’s been the people, their passion, and their willingness to share ideas that have made the journey so rewarding. And if you’ve ever thought about getting involved but haven’t yet, my advice is simple: just turn up to a meeting. You might be surprised where it leads.

I’m proud to join the small group of Life Members who’ve helped steer our industry forward. And I’m excited to see what the next generation will achieve.”

Embracing change while staying grounded

Over his 25 years at Termi Home & Commercial Brisbane, John has witnessed significant shifts in the pest control industry.

“Technology has changed how we operate behind the scenes. Electronic reporting, scheduling, and marketing systems are now essential”, he explains.“But at the ground level, the fundamentals haven’t changed. You still need to do the basics well.”

The biggest challenge today, he says, is recruitment. “Ten years ago, staffing was easier. Now it’s almost a full time job keeping up with demand and growth.”

Despite the hurdles, John remains optimistic. “We’ve (pest control) recently been recognised as a trade, which is a major step forward. It should help with structured training, clearer career paths and hopefully attract more people into the industry.”